PRODUCT REVIEW
Functionalab Retinol 0,5% Serum
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What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
CERAMIDES, VITAMINS A, C AND D, HYALURONIC ACID Stimulates cellular regeneration to improve skin elasticity and firmness Delays the premature aging process Significantly diminishes wrinkle volume (length and depth) Quickly improves skin hydration All skin types This advanced serum is formulated using a unique sustained release technology that slowly delivers retinol to the skin, reducing the risk of irritation.
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
3.2% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
magnesium aluminum silicate
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
The essential skin barrier lipids — ceramide 3, phytosphingosine, cholesterol and omega-3, 6 and 9 lock in hydration and build skin structure, and helps the skin barrier quickly regain optimal hydrolipidic balance.
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
3.2% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
In addition to the essential biolipids, this serum contains Ihabut, a natural potent source of hyaluronic acid that is 5 times more efficient at stimulating collagen production and 10 times more efficient at improving hydration than regular hyaluronic acid.
caprylic/capric triglyceride
1.3% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
ceramide np
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
glycerin
4.6% -
5.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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Anti-blemish
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Exfoliation
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
Anti-oxidation
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
3.2% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
vitis vinifera seed oil
4.1% -
5.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
3.2% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-oxidation,
Mattifying,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
butyrospermum parkii butter
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
User reviews (0)
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-oxidation,
Mattifying,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
3.2% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Show more
Potential irritants
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
3.2% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
retinol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-oxidation,
Mattifying,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
butyrospermum parkii butter
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
All ingredients
glycerin
4.6% -
5.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
vitis vinifera seed oil
4.1% -
5.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Vitis vinifera seed oil, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Shea butter ethyl esters, Glyceryl stearate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Peg-100 stearate, Isododecane, Glyceryl dilaurate, Hydrolyzed plukenetia volubilis seed extract, Steareth-21, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinol, Behentrimonium chloride, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Copper lysinate/prolinate, Methylglucoside phosphate, Cichorium intybus root extract, Sodium butyroyl hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Cholesterol, Caprooyl phytosphingosine, Ceramide np, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Cetyl alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Steareth-2, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-75 stearate, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/acrylamide copolymer, Paraffinum liquidum, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Microcrystalline cellulose, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Disodium edta, Sorbic acid, Cellulose gum, Sucrose laurate, Polysorbate 85, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
- A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin
- Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural moisturizing systems
- Topically Applied Ceramides Interact with the Stratum Corneum Lipid Matrix in Compromised Ex Vivo Skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gel
- Safety Assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes–Induced Inflammatory Responses
- Final report on the safety assessment of aluminum silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, sodium magnesium silicate, zirconium silicate, attapulgite, bentonite, Fuller's earth, hectorite, kaolin, lithium magnesium silicate, lithium magnesium sodium silicate, montmorillonite, pyrophyllite, and zeolite
- Extracellular matrix in cutaneous ageing: the effects of 0.1% copper-zinc malonate-containing cream on elastin biosynthesis
- 5: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Steareth-2,-4,-6,-7,-10,-11,-13,-15, and-20
- A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oil
- Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate as Used in Cosmetics